If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident and are considering hiring a personal injury attorney, then you need to know that the first meeting is crucial. Your lawyer will likely ask you questions about your injuries and damages, so you must prepare for this beforehand. It’s common to have questions before meeting with a motorcycle accident attorney. Here are some important considerations when getting ready to meet your attorney, so you can benefit from your experience.
How to Prepare for Your First Meeting With a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
You should be prepared to answer questions and bring relevant information about your case. It’s also good to know what you want from your lawsuit, such as monetary compensation for injuries sustained in the accident or reimbursement for any property damage. Additionally, you must be honest and open about the accident.
Understand Your Own Goals
Your attorney will help you understand the possible outcomes of your case, so be clear on your goals. Be upfront about what is most vital for you in a settlement or verdict for your lawyer to help improve your chances of a desirable outcome. Some examples of different types of goals include:
- Compensation for medical bills and lost wages
- Compensation for emotional distress or pain and suffering
- Compensation for future medical care that may be needed due to an accident
Bring the Right Documents
Be sure to gather all of the important documents available so your lawyer has all of the essential information, this may include:
- A copy of your accident report and police report
- Medical records (if available) documenting any injuries sustained during this motorcycle accident
- Relevant insurance information
- Photos taken after the accident
Be Prepared to Discuss Who is at Fault
It can be difficult to discuss the details of the accident with your attorney, but you must be on the same page regarding the details of the case. The person blamed for causing a motorcycle accident is not always responsible—this is especially true when several vehicles are involved. For example, the other driver might have been distracted by something and not paying attention as they turned into your lane; therefore, they didn’t see you coming until it was too late.
Discuss How Much Money You Will Need to Fully Recover
It’s important to discuss how much money you need to recover before hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer. You will certainly understand your needs best. The money required to overcome your financial struggles is determined by your needs and what can be realistically achieved in court.
Provide Details About How the Accident Happened
When you meet with your personal injury attorney, be prepared to answer questions about the accident. To help your attorney best represent your interests, you must provide as much detail as possible about the accident. Try to consider the following:
- How fast were the cars traveling before impact?
- Was another vehicle passed at high speed before the collision?
- What kind of weather conditions did both cars face at the time of impact?
- Was anyone intoxicated at the time of impact?
Describe All Injuries Resulting From the Accident
Your Kansas City motorcycle accident attorney will need to know what injuries you sustained. Be sure to explain how the accident affected your career, as well as how it impacted your family life. They will also want to know what treatment options were recommended by doctors and whether they were able to help. Some injuries may not be apparent immediately after an accident, so give them a detailed account of how it has impacted your life over time.
Ask Questions About the Legal Process
If this is your first time dealing with legal procedures, the process can be intimidating and overwhelming. Don’t worry though, as the attorney can help set your mind at ease by providing guidance about what to expect in the days to come. So, if you have any questions or concerns, now is the time to address them. Make a list ahead of time so that you don’t forget anything important during the meeting.
Stay Organized
The best thing to do is to prepare a folder with all the relevant documents and information listed above. You can continue to use this folder as the case unfolds so you can keep everything in one place. This way, you’ll be able to take your time going through them with your attorney and not feel rushed or pressured into making a decision.
It’s essential to keep in mind that your meeting with the personal injury attorney is not just about getting information on your case; it’s also an opportunity to evaluate the lawyer and their firm. Preparing the right questions and documents will ensure that the client and the attorney are well informed about the details so the case can move forward successfully.
